Summoning from Another World: A Grand Ambition

The branches of the withered poplar forest wailed sharply in the north wind, like the howling of a vengeful ghost. The wind whipped up sand and snowflakes, lashing my face and stinging.

Mu Yun Lingyuan stood alone beneath the thickest withered poplar tree, the wide sleeves and hem of his black robe fluttering in the gale, like an indomitable battle flag.

His back was ramrod straight, his gaze passing over the vast snowstorm, fixed on his unseen homeland in the south.

He held a piece of mutton-fat white jade tightly in his fingertips. The warm jade had been soaked by his body heat and countless caresses over the past twelve years. The coiled dragon patterns on the edges had become blurred and rounded, no longer as sharp as they once were.

Before his departure, his father, Mu Yunlie, personally tied this to his waist. It was called "Seeing Jade is Like Meeting in Person," but it was actually a token of their agreement.

"Cang Ye." He spoke, his voice not loud, yet it was like the clash of metal and stone, piercing through the wind and clearly reaching the ears of the attendant behind him.

"Your subordinate is here." Tai Chu Cang Ye immediately stepped forward, kneeling on one knee. The armor plate touched the frozen ground, producing a dull clang.

Mu Yunlingyuan did not turn around, his gaze still fixed on the south. He spoke slowly and forcefully, each word like a nail driven into wood: "Pass on my order. The eighteen riders of Silver Moon River, along with their thousand Shadow Riders, are to immediately begin preparing for battle. Check their armor, bows and arrows, rations, and medicine. All their baggage must be carefully prepared. They are to secretly assemble at the entrance of 'Broken Wind Valley' on the west side of the Royal Court at 3:45 AM three days later. There must be no delay, and no announcement must be made."

"Yes!" Cang Ye replied, but did not get up immediately. A hint of hesitation flashed across his cold face under his helmet.

Mu Yun Lingyuan seemed to sense something and finally slowly turned around. The wind and snow ruffled a few strands of black hair on his forehead, revealing his eyes, deep as an icy pool, as he calmly looked at Cang Ye: "Speak."

Cang Ye gritted his teeth, clasped his hands and said, "Master, please understand! The Eighteen Riders of Silver Moon River and the Thousand Shadow Riders are our last trump card, which we have secretly forged over twelve years with painstaking effort. Is it too early to reveal and assemble them now?"

Moreover, since the Great Chanyu has already sent General Huyan to welcome us, we should take this opportunity to return east. Why should we use this surprise force again? If the Hu tribes or... the Muyun tribe notice anything amiss, things might change.

Mu Yunlingyuan's lips curled into a very faint smile, which seemed to be a cold laugh or a self-mockery.

He loosened his grip on the jade pendant, letting it fall to his waist and gently touch the unadorned old iron sword.

"Returning eastward with the tide?" he murmured repeatedly, his fingertips brushing over the tiny scratches and dents on the cold scabbard, testaments to countless nighttime sneakings and near-death experiences.

"Cang Ye, tell me, without this 'surprise force,' without any of our own power to rely on, would our 'return' lead us to the magnificent royal tent, or... a prison or even a tomb?"

He raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning, piercing Cangye's heart: "Father did send someone, but why was it Huyan Zhuo, whom we have no close relationship with and who is only loyal to the king's orders, instead of my mother's old subordinates or my uncle's men? That's one reason."

Secondly, my mother, Princess Changning, due to her humble origins, already lacked a strong foundation within the Muyun tribe. After I became a hostage, she fell ill with depression and ultimately… passed away prematurely.

His voice paused almost imperceptibly for a moment, "And you know better than I how the new concubine of the Xiutu tribe and her two sons have managed things over the years."

Of those who hold military power, fertile grasslands, and key positions, how many still remember the name "Muyun Lingyuan"?

If it weren't for my uncle Taichu Jing risking his life in court to remonstrate with me according to ancient rites and customs, my father... might have forgotten that I, his son, still existed in the Hu region.

Upon hearing this, Cang Ye's body trembled, and his face beneath his helmet paled even more. He was not unaware of these things, but he simply did not want to think about them deeply, or perhaps he harbored a glimmer of hope.

"This time when I return," Mu Yunlingyuan continued, his tone returning to its icy calm, yet even more chilling.

"I, the 'eldest son,' have only the title but no real power, no soldiers, and no trusted followers. My second brother, Mu Yun Lingxiao, only needs to whisper a few words in Father's ear..."

For example, saying, "Brother Wang has lived in the land of the barbarians for a long time, and I fear he may have adopted their customs, making his intentions difficult to discern," or "The sudden return of the hostage may arouse suspicion among the barbarian tribes, which would be detrimental to the good relations between the two tribes."

That was enough to make my first step into the royal court extremely difficult, even leading to house arrest and surveillance, until I died silently from illness or accident.

Perhaps my father still has a shred of kinship, but with his power secured and his new love and young son at the center, how much of that sway can it truly be? He sent me here back then, and now… he might just discard me like a worn-out shoe.”

The north wind howled past, whipping up thousands of layers of snow, and the withered poplar forest seemed to be wailing.

Mu Yun Lingyuan's voice grew clearer and more resolute, carrying a do-or-die determination:

"Therefore, we cannot rely solely on our father's remembrance and General Huyan's escort."

The three key passes and two formidable fortresses leading to the Muyun tribe in the territory of the Hu people were all under the control of Guli Khan.

Without his personally signed pass and escort documents, even if we had wings, we wouldn't be able to get through those heavily guarded checkpoints. More importantly…

He paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes:

"Guli Khan and my father Muyunlie are on the surface to be allies, but in reality they are wary of each other. He covets the benefits of my Muyun tribe's Kehu pasture, and he is also afraid that my father will become too powerful after unifying the northern frontier."

And I, the hostage who has lived in Hu Ting for twelve years, understands the true nature of the Hu people, and has the legitimate right of succession with the Muyun tribe, am an excellent pawn in his hands.

A pawn that can be used to check and balance my father, and even supported to disrupt the Muyun tribe if necessary! What I want is this "will to use" of his!

Cang Ye finally understood, and his breathing quickened: "Master wants to... use the power of the Hu tribe to protect himself, or even... retaliate?"

"Not bad." Mu Yunlingyuan nodded.

"I will personally pay a visit to Guli Khan and the Hu princess who has taken good care of me. On the surface, it is to say goodbye and to express my gratitude for the twelve years of shelter and care I have received."

Secretly, I need to show him my value, obtain his gold token and documents, and perhaps... even gain some discreet support.

For example, tacitly allowing certain troops to accompany them.

With this "high regard" from the Khan of the Hu tribe as my tiger skin, after I returned to my tribe, those former subordinates who were watching from the sidelines would be more cautious, my father would be more considerate when dealing with me, and my second brother would also have to think twice before taking action.

Otherwise, with just the two of us and the Shadow Riders who are not yet fully developed, going back would be like lambs to the slaughter, and all would be lost.

He slowly raised his hand and placed it on the hilt of the seemingly ordinary iron sword at his waist, a restrained yet unsettling aura emanating from it.

"Twelve years of forbearance, like lying on frozen ice. Now the ice is about to crack, and the dragon is returning to its homeland. This step is a matter of life and death, and we must take it steadily and ruthlessly."

Silvermoon and Shadow Riders must assemble in advance, ready to respond to any unforeseen circumstances, and also to deter any potential threats on their return journey. As for the Hu tribe… I must personally orchestrate this game.”

Cangye hesitated no longer, kowtowing heavily, his armor gleaming: "Your subordinate is foolish, but now I understand! Master's foresight and wisdom are beyond my reach. I will immediately go and convey the order to Yinyue, and prepare gifts for Master's audience with Guli Khan!"

"Go." Mu Yunlingyuan waved his sleeve, turned back to face south, his figure appearing solitary and resolute against the backdrop of wind-blown snow and withered willows. "Remember, keep your movements quiet and be quick."

"Yes, sir!" Cang Ye stood up and, like a wisp of black smoke, quickly disappeared into the depths of the snow-covered withered poplar forest.

Standing alone amidst the wind and snow, Mu Yunlingyuan's fingertips once again caressed the warm jade pendant, the icy touch penetrating straight to his heart.

The humiliation of being a hostage for twelve years, the pain of losing his mother, and the coldness of mutual resentment between his father and brothers were like poisonous thorns buried deep within him.

In the past, powerless, I could only endure and lie low. Now, my return is imminent, and the arrow is already on the bowstring.